New here

[Philyhen]

I am new in this disease and I am confused what is happening to me that's why I am here to read all the experiences their having. It really help me a lot and it's like giving me a huge information about what I am experiencing right now. I've visited my Doctor for 2 times already and my thyroid level is all back to normal now. He told me to continue the meds. And vitamins ferosulfate, Osteocare for the bone (calcium) and multivitamin. The chilling is gone now. But still the same feeling like I am floating and feel weak sometimes and feeling that I dont want to talk because I feel like while I am talking its consuming my energy. Now I add my ultimate medicines thru prayers with Jesus and it works,when Im feeling weak I pray, when I feel depressed I pray and it really helps me it gives my body a power charge again. I hope I can read more information about Hypothyroidism. ThanksRead less

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking ?

You need to get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested

Also need both TPO and TG Thyroid antibodies tested

Thyroid levels need retesting 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in levothyroxine

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 is in top third of range and FT3 at least half way through range

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Also what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)

All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels

[greygoose]

And vitamins ferosulfate, Osteocare for the bone (calcium) and multivitamin.

Did you get your calcium tested before starting calcium supplements? Calcium is neither a cure nor a prevention of osteoporosis, and too much of it can cause all sorts of problems. It's rare to be calcium deficient in the western world. Magnesium and Vit d are far more important for bones.

Multi-vitamins are really a very bad idea, for many reasons:

* If your multi contains iron, it will block the absorption of all the vitamins - you won't absorb a single one! Iron should be taken at least two hours away from any other supplement except vit C, which is necessary to aid absorption of iron, and protect the stomach.

* If your multi also contains calcium, the iron and calcium will bind together and you won't be able to absorb either of them.

* Multi's often contain things you shouldn't take or don't need : calcium, iodine, copper. These things should be tested before supplementing.

* Multi's often contain the cheapest, least absorbable form of the supplement : magnesium oxide, instead of magnesium citrate or one of the other good forms; cyanocobalamin instead of methylcobalamin; folic acid instead of methylfolate; etc. etc. etc.

* Multi's do not contain enough of anything to help a true deficiency, even if you could absorb them.

* When taking several supplements, you should start them individually at two weekly intervals, not all at once as you would with a multi. Because, if you start them all at once, and something doesn't agree with you, you won't know which one it is and you'll be back to square one.

With a multivitamin, you are just throwing your money down the drain, at best, and doing actual harm at worst. Far better to get tested for vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin, and build up your supplementation program based on the results. A vitamin or a mineral is only going to help you if you need it, anyway. More of something you don’t need is either pointless or even dangerous, as with calcium, iron or vit D.

So, the worry here is that you're more than likely going to be taking calcium in the multi, and calcium in the Osteocare, plus calcium from your food… The odds are that you are now well and truly over-dosed on calcium and that excess calcium can build up in your arteries and cause a heart attack.

Never, ever take nutritional advice from a doctor, they know nothing about it. They do not learn about nutrition and supplements in med school.